Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Herbs for pollinators
Last week I shared a lot of plants that attract pollinators, including perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. I’ve also shared with you that swallowtail caterpillars LOVE parsley and dill.
While I admit to breaking down and mowing my lawn last week, I DO have herbs out there for pollinators. And, of course, for me too! Beside dill (recipes) and parsley, there are other herbs that pique the interest of pollinators including fennel which is in the same family as dill and parsley.
For humans, the whole fennel can be used. The feathery leaves as an herb, the fronds AND the bulb can be chopped and added fresh to salads for a licorice crunch. They’re also great roasted and in stir fry.
Some tips on fennel from Martha Stewart… okay, so I’ll never be Martha and have no desire to be, however, this is good info! This faro salad with fennel looks totally fab!
Do NOT plant fennel with dill or coriander. In fact, it’s best to plant it in it’s own container! It can grow to 5 ft tall and self sows. Here’s more from The Spruce.
Anise hyssop aka agastache and monarda aka bee balm are both in my butterfly garden but they can also be used to flavor tea!
While we typically snip our herbs such as oregano, basil, rosemary, sage, thyme and mint, you can also let some of them flower for the pollinators.
The snipping is great for a couple of reasons, first our taste buds! Second, it makes for fuller plants. I preserve a lot of my herbs but I’ve also left some for the bees. You can place herbs in any part of a sunny garden. They’re look and texture is wonderful in mixed plantings.
